Yahoo ...She's talking and eating again ...

Looking at the subject, don't be mistaken that 'Mah Mah', my paternal grandmother is going on strike and having a cold war with me or any other family member. It's just that she just recovered from a pretty long illness that didn't allow her to eat and talk for almost 8 months. Bad isn't it? Throughout this turmoil, she never shed a tear nor blamed her fate for mistreating her with this sickness.

Am glad the ordeal for her is over as she is almost fully recovered and have been active again playing mahjong and nagging. See, nagging is always part of older people. This grandmother of mine can be easily agitated so don't push your luck too far when making fun of her but other than that, she is cool.

I have to admit that I wasn't so close to her when I was younger but it was only until we started playing mahjong - for my foreign friends who do not know what mahjong is, its a game played by four players, also a form of gambling. Anyway, yes, its mahjong that brought us closer together. Sandy, grandma, godma and me. We often played together to pass time. Who says gambling break families? They brought us together somehow.

'Mah mah' can be funny at times, cracking the funniest jokes ever. She would often warn us sternly not to get too close to her whenever she is walking because should we be careless and hit her , we would end up having our three meals at the foot of the block for a few days. For your information, Chinese funerals are often held for a few days at void decks thus you know what she meant right? Can you imagine this? Old people are usually taboo about such stuff but not for her. She's just cool, keep it up 'Mah Mah'.

88 and going strong ....

'Popo' is how I address her, my maternal grandmother who turned 88 earlier this year. She's the reason why I am able to speak Cantonese and its also her who introduced me to Hong Kong TVB serials when I was only 4.Am rather fortunate to be her closest grandchild as I have been staying with her for many years since I was a baby living at Bedok South.

She would bathe me, dress me and play with me often when I was bored at home. I remembered when I was about 6, she would ask me for the brands of the cars I had in my toy collection. I might have lied to her at some occassions but so what, I was only a young boy.

Having reached my teenage years when we were living at Upper Thomson, we had an adjoining room, sharing a small balcony that was turned into a study room for my younger brothers. She would often walk over, open the door and see what I was up to. Whenever I wasn't sleeping and at the computer at ungodly hours, she would tell me to go to bed. I would only nod and shooed her away.

We share a relationship that's strong and I know she dotes on me lots, always wanting me to get married soon so that she will be able to witness that happy occassion for Sandy and myself. Its coming soon anyway and of course, pending her approval on some auspicious dates.

If only she is able to read this blog in English ( if there happens to be a Chinese version, I don't think I will be able to make it writing those characters ), she would know how much she means to me. We do have our arguments at times and differences in opinions.Pretty normal right? Anyway, you guys ought to know how the older generation think and behave right? They can nag a bit but all those nagging are somewhat the only way of expressing that they care and love you. This I understand clearly.

Popo, I never had and will never have the guts to tell you how much I love and treasure you and how often you are featured in my dreams but those happy times will always be treasured and remembered, locked in a special place in my heart. For now, I can only do my best to see you weekly and bring you for the occassional meal with family. I hope your leg will feel better and may you stay healthy and strong.

Family ... relatives too.

Having introduced my closest friends in my earlier blogs, I guess its time to also introduce and thank my family members. Friends, don't fret. I am not over with the friends section but I thought I ought to also show you my roots too.

Family has always been important to me, close to my heart and loved. Some may feel that I do not express much to them in person but in fact, I do feel for them. I do. Afterall, we are family and family ties can never be changed. Perhaps, I am just shy about expressing myself in person but I sure will be able to express myself better on this little blog of mine. So hang in there and carry on reading this blog ...

Wife of 'Sister Edwin', this lady surely has an unstoppable yakking habit that often puts her husband to dreamland during bedtime. Cheerful and hyper, Louisa cares a lot for her friends. Frankly speaking, I hardly talk to her as I know, she won't let me go if we start talking.Kidding Louisa. Its mostly because when she sees the rest of our female companions ( Sandy and Clara) , they would enter their own world of gossips.By the way, Louisa has got a really low threshold for resisting sleep. When she is tired, she will just knockout there and then. Despite how we pry open her eyes, she would still carry on resting.

Working in the healthcare industry, she plays with blood and do all kinds of test to it. Friends who visit the hospital she works in usually request that she do their test quickly without delays. Most of the time she obliges but of course, we understand she has got lots of other blood samples to play around it. Who can blame her?

Louisa, thank you for showing care for me when I had Bells Palsy, a partial face paralysis and the times you helped me do translations at the temple. Much appreciated. For now, I wish you the best in motherhood and make the best of your time whenever you can. Sleep more now. I remember you love sleep and when the baby is due, you will have many sleepless nights feeding the baby.

Arh So .... Clara

Hey, what did you think the title was? Its not offensive. That's what we Asian Chinese call our elder brother's wife, in other words, sister-in-law. What to do? Not that I chose her to be my sister-in-law, its my buddy's wife, or rather, my sworn brother Hanwen's wife.

Funny yet fierce at times, she can be mean if you stepped on her toes and agitated her too much. Thankfully, Clara seems to have a high tolerance level for me. She treats me well perhaps not as good as a younger bro-in-law but its good enough for me. When I am down, she too tries to cheer me up.

Clara, thank you for tolerating my nonsense and giving me ample time to spend with Hanwen. Am really glad you didn't take him away after 'I Do' ,in fact, you and I got a little closer after becoming Mrs Chan. Hey, no, don't ask me to take this title away from you. Its official. You are indeed a Chan now.Keep up the laughter with tears, I'll never forget how you can laugh those tears out. Are they for real?

One advice for you, take food that doesn't cause your stomach to hurt. Why treat yourself to such torture of consuming sashimi and then having to suffer with a tummy ache. Take care of yourself and of course love my brother lots. Not forgetting, treat me and Sandy better too, afterall, we are almost 'family'.

Go Monica ...!

Many popular singers name their songs after her, from Leslie Cheung to Leo Ku. 'Monica' is often the more popular song name compared to Sam Hui's 'Tsim Sa Tsui Susie'.

Enough of poking fun at her name. Its a nice name, fitting this petite lady, wife of towkay Lance (featured in my previous posts). Monica a caring and easy going friend is always so willing to help, so willing to listen. Never complaining much and always obliging. Where can we find such nice souls around? Ahh.. actually I know where ... just find me and I'll introduce all my friends to you. They are all nice because a nice person like me deserves only the nicest. Ok Clara! Stop showing me that puke face!

Back to Monica again. Married to Lance, I believe she is excited to upgrade herself from a status of a wife to that of two status - a wife and a mother. Monica, I wish you all the best with your future happiness and I am sure you will make a wonderful husband and a wonderful mother. Just make sure your future baby wouldn't pick up the bad habits of your hubby, especially the XXX part. Take care and thank you for being my friend.

A decade of footsteps ....

10th August, a significant day in my life. The day that friendship blossomed and took shape to that of love.

This journey we walked together was a pleasant one, lots of joy and hardly any sadness. We do have our differences in opinions and different ways in handling things but it never ever soured the relationship. Never was there any point of time where we wanted to throw in the towel and called it quits. Never. Even during my darkest hour, struggling with my unsuccessful business setup, she was there to support me financially and morally. I knew even if I failed a second, third or fourth time, she will always be there for me. Always and forever.

Sandy, despite her short fuse at times, cares and loves me lots. Everyone can tell how much she loves and dotes on me and how dependant I am on her. Yes, its not good to be dependant on a lady but for Sandy, I know I can always depend and rely on her for eternity.

There are times where I make her upset and cry. Not that I am an angel, I do err like any other beings at times but its usually trivial and most of the time out of my mischievous behaviour that really upsets her. When she cries, I feel hurt. I get overwhelmed with guilt, lots of it and I would try my best not to upset her again but like I said, I am only human.

Am glad Sandy and I have walked this far, step by step we start building our lives together, taking into consideration that our age is catching up and settling down is probably the next best thing to do. For friends who are curious, we are making plans. Wait a minute, I used the word 'plans'. Plans are premature most of the time but once we have settled our dates, the announcement will be made. No hints on the dates. Hush hush it shall be, at least for now.

Sandy, thank you for being there for me always, in times of trouble and in times of need. You have been patient with me and you always understand me. You read my thoughts well and can always tell when I am lying. Can be dangerous when you always know my next move but its all right. It's fine with me.

I love you as you are and I never expect you to change your personality or character for me. You are almost perfect. At least, most of the time. Your entrance into my life will always be one of the happier things that ever happened to me.Thank you for all the love you have showered me. I love you lots Sandy and am looking forward to the next many decades together.

Bill ... we call him...

"I may be a miser when it comes to parking but when it comes to my friends, I am Bill Gates!"

Those who heard it burst out laughing, even tears were made to spill out of our eyes. This guy is hilarious. You'll never know when he can make you laugh your heart out and die. Just thinking of him now as I type, I'm laughing . Who would send you an sms like "Dear Car Park God, please give me a car park lot soon." Only him.

Bill isn't his real name, its only when we need the bill, we call him to make payment. Tsu Jung aka TJ is a friendly chap and always on time, hardly late. Not like the rest of my other friends. Can you imagine he's so nice he even wanted to lend me money to propose to Sandy? Can't believe him sometimes cause you never know when he puts on his joker suit and clowns with you.

Thanks for being a friend Tsu Jung, your hairy muscular arms will be needed again once I decide to move to a new home. That is only when you will offer to lend me money to buy an apartment. Keep up the jokes pal ..!

A sister she is .. Beatrice.

What is another way of hammering grain? Bet you got the answer right at the first guess. Yes, its Beat Rice. Marry this two words and there you go, Beatrice, a name of latin origin.

Well loved by her peers but for whatever reason I don't know. Perhaps its that piercing vocal cords that provokes ear drums to self-destruction mode.

I remember clearly the first time I was introduced to her, she had that darn grumpy look. The face was similar to coal. Black. Well, what to do, we were running late for a National Day concert and as you may not already know, she's Sandy's sister. It runs in the family blood.Easily agitated.Low threshold of patience.

She played my angel when I was in really bad financial shape. She helped me tide those times with financial aid and fed me my favourite cuisine - food from the land of the rising sun. Did not complain a single word about how a burden I could be or maybe I just wasn't told the bad names she gave me.

Whatever it is, Beatrice, thank you very much for all that you have done for me. Want to tell you I am grateful our paths crossed and you will always be treated as family, am sure you can tell from the warmth of my family members for you. If you don't feel it, I will tell them to turn up the temperature so you'll feel really warm.

Sister Ed ...

Edwin's been a good friend since Eastern Knights was formed. A roller hockey team that brought this friendship together. Thanks Tim for introducing us.

You have been patient with my nonsense and I sure have to say thank you for the help and assistance rendered when I needed it. The opportunities you opened for me and that caring nature of yours sure grew the friendship just like what is needed for flowers to bloom fully.

Am sure our friendship has no boundaries or borders and that we can count on each other in times of tears and joy. Take care 'sister' and behave yourself. You can be cheeky at times. You know it.

Clarification needed for readers of this posting. 'sister' doesn't make him a gay. Just a nick Hanwen and myself gave him.

Lance aka Jiaping ..

'Chee sin! ' he shouts. An equivalent to the English word  'crazy'. Its two words that is often heard from Lance's mouth. He means no harm anyway. Just overly excited that's all.

Jiaping has been a friend since our primary school days. Primary 5 if I remembered correctly but after I switched schools, we lost contact. It was only about three years ago that the lost friendship was found and immediately transformed into a blossomed love. Oops. Wrong word. Buddyhood to be exact.

Towkay I always call him because he has been really independant in his business. A respected and easily agitated entreprenuer.

Take care of your health and I sure want to say this- Thanks for the company and for your helping hand when I was in need. That strong hand of yours lift me high but don't you let me go. Its going to hurt falling from high places.

My best friend - brother Mun

Twenty two years and counting, this is the number of years I have known Hanwen. A best friend who treats the rest of the world bad with only one exception -ME. His angel side appears only for me. Listens and laughs to my jokes. Sometimes I wonder if its joyous laughter from the heart or could it be just a laughter of sarcasm. Who knows? Maybe he laughs it off and says 'Next joke u idiot! This one's not funny.'

This brotherhood began since pre-primary. Can you believe it? That was two decades ago and the brotherhood is still stong and growing. Like Jack's bean sprout. Sky's the limit.

Hanwen, you have been walking this journey called life with me. I don't know how lonesome I would be should you one day decide to migrate and leave me stranded. Promise me that you will bring me along. Look, don't get me wrong. I wasn't talking about that 'taboo' word. Whatever it is, you too, like me, never fail to amaze me in our witty conversations. Seriously, if I am gone, I know your tears will flow for me but you by then should already have kept thousands of memories in your heart of this brotherhood.

Thank you for everything and I dare say this to you. I love you bro.... And I meant it.If only you were a lady.... :)

My way of saying thank you....

In this life, I made many friends. Some good, some bad. Let's chuck the bad ones aside and allow me to thank the good ones. These good friends of mine have always been by my side and never giving up on me but encouraging me all the time, especially whenever I fall flat on my face, hurting.

Am glad the hard times are history and I am sure with this bunch of friends, there will no longer be any tough times in my life ever again.

I am not too sure how this project of mine is going to be but I will write how I feel and probably put some photos in. So smile brightly whenever I want to take that snapshot of you.